Cruse started his collegiate football career as a nose guard at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College. As a freshman, he showcased 70 total tackles (48 solo), 22 assisted tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. The former Golden Norsemen provided 71 total tackles (33 solo), 38 assisted tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in his sophomore season to conclude his time in Miami, OK. Cruse piled up awards during his junior college career, including 2011 Honorable Mention All-SWJCFC Freshman, 2012 First Team All-SWJCFC Sophomore and 2012 All-Region XIV. After his time at NEO, the Murfreesboro, TN native took his talents to Oklahoma State University, finishing his collegiate journey in 2014.
The OSU Cowboy would begin his professional football career with the Las Vegas Outlaws of the Arena Football League in 2015. Cruse played for the Atlanta Vultures of American Indoor Football in 2016 before joining the West Michigan Ironmen of the same league, where he would win the Northern Division Championship to conclude his time in AIF.
The former AIF lineman also played for the Cedar Rapids Titans of the Indoor Football League, along with AFL Tampa Bay Storm and Jacksonville Sharks, who are now in the National Arena League. Cruse also played in the CIF with the Texas Revolution. The First Team All-SWJCFC award winner earned an invitation to play with the 2017 U.S. Federation's National Team for the World Games in Wroclaw, Poland. In June 2019, Cruse spent some time with the Philadelphia Soul and in January 2020, Cruse signed with the Music City Fire of the AAL, but the season was cut short due to Covid-19.
